Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Pat Cribbet is displaying one of Huntsburger’s books on Hood Ornaments.

A Collector who Shared

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

At a recent meeting in a Titus Library conference room in Sullivan I noticed a large collection of car hood ornaments along one wall. The benefactor of this collection was Lynn R. Huntsburger.
Huntsburger was born on the last day in December, 1913 in a little frontier town in North Dakota. His mother was from Lovington, and when she died, he was sent to live with relatives in Kansas and then to others in Cadwell.
He grew up with a love of machinery and cars and in 1946, with a little seed money, he started O.K. Jobbers in his basement to sell auto parts and industrial supplies. In 1974 he bought his first antique car – a 1949 Kaiser, and by 1990 he had 14 antique cars which he loved to restore.
While restoring his cars he began collecting hood ornaments, mascots and other car trim. By 2004 he had more than 2,000 hood ornaments and was known world-wide as a premier collector of hood ornaments. He was interviewed by PBS TV, and his collection had been widely exhibited including at the Burke’s Museum at Millikin University. Read More

•July 25, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

Why do people shop out of Sullivan?
The answer was being sought by Rob Young and a group of about 35 people gathered at Cathrine’s 5 West Thursday, July 19.
The immediate answer was not quite clear, but plans for future growth were presented.
Sullivan Economic Development and Chamber Director Laurrie Minor explained how MAPPING the Future program through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity can help determine the best course for the area’s future growth.
Arthur, Bethany, Findlay and Shelbyville have participated in MAPPING which is multi-year community effort to map attainable goals for future community growth, Minor said, noting EDC is developing the local advisory board. Read More

 •July 25, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

The great comic actor W.C. Fields had a rule of never performing with children or dogs. If you see “Annie’’ at The Little Theatre you will know why. They steal the show! The children (and dog) are such polished performers and just carry the show in ways you don’t expect.
If you have or know children who have never seen musical theater, please give them the gift of a ticket to “Annie”. You will open a whole new world of wonder and enchantment for them.
Those of a certain age first met Little Orphan Annie with her big zero eyes in the Sunday comic strips. In 1977 she got her own Broadway musical and endeared herself to new generations of fans.
In this episode she is in an orphanage with 12 other girls under the heavy hand of Miss Hannigan. Annie manages to escape but is caught and returned just as Oliver Warbucks’ secretary, Grace Farrell, arrives. She selects Annie to be the only girl invited to Warbucks’ annual Christmas party.
The brusque billionaire cannot resist Annie’s adorableness and soon wants to adopt her. But Annie only wants to find her parents who left her at the orphanage with a note and a locket – important clues later. Warbucks enlists the help of no less than President Roosevelt, Elliott Ness, J. Edgar Hoover and an offer of $50,000 to anyone proving they are Annie’s parents. Read More

•July 18, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

In a regular meeting on July 12 the Bethany Village Board voted unanimously to raise the rates 4% each for water, sewer, electric and gas services.
The board also approved a minimum wage ordinance and an ordinance adding 50 cents to utility bills for recycling.
In other business, Police Chief Chris Nichols reported that a $13,000 grant had been received toward the purchase of a new Ford SUV police car. The village, however, will have to pay for equipping the car with items such as a computer and video camera. Read More